It really doesn't matter what a child is playing with, they always seem to manage to leave a trail of mess and destruction everywhere they go.
You could literally run rings around them and still never catch up, that's why we need all the cleaning tips and hacks to keep us sane.
So if you want to dance away the dust, why not try these cool time-saving sticky slime and stink removal concoctions that we think every parent should know.
We believe these ten household cleaning hacks belong in the parenting hall of fame:
Slime on carpet.
To remove pesky slime remnants off your carpet, spray with vinegar and leave it to sit for a few minutes before rubbing with a cloth.
Bloodstains.
In regards to bloodstains, it is extremely important the piece of clothing is rinsed with cold water immediately before applying a layer of salt over the affected area for thirty minutes. You will be able to see the blood draining from the fabric after just ten minutes.
Cleaning toys.
A majority of toys can be cleaned at the sink with a bit of washing up liquid and warm water but for toys such as Lego, pop them into a drawstring bag and place them on the top shelf of your dishwasher. Not only will they come out looking brand new, but it will also save you hours scrubbing away pesky germs, especially after a nasty bug lands on your doorstep.
Puke.
The key ingredient in neutralising the stinking smell of vomit is none other than baking soda. If your child gets sick, clean up the puke as normal then pour a heap of baking soda onto the problem area. After a short while, the powder will form into little clumps which can later be hoovered up.
Unruly stains.
You can spend a freaking fortune on stain removers promising the sun, moon and stars but the most pocket-friendly way to remove stubborn stains on garments that have already been washed is by placing them in direct sunlight for a couple of days. It works an absolute treat, especially in the early weaning days.
Stinky smells.
If you have left milk or flavoured juice in a sippy cup for a day by accident, soak the cup in one part white vinegar to two parts water for a couple of hours to get rid of the stinky smell but make sure you rinse thoroughly before using again.
Urine stains on a mattress.
If your child is going through a bedwetting phase, worry not. Firstly, bedwetting is very common with young children and secondly, a mixture of vinegar and baking soda will completely eradicate any unsightly stains in a matter of minutes.
Magic Erasers.
Ah, my favourite cleaning hack of all. Every home should have one of these bad boys. I love kids showing their creative side but not when it is on my walls, doors and floors. Remove almost any stubborn stains from Sharpie art to pen drawings with an all-purpose magic eraser and a little bit of water.
Chewing gum.
It doesn't happen often but when it does it's a bit of a disaster. If you discover bubble gum on your child's clothes place the garment into the freezer. The harder the gum the easier it is to remove. After a couple of hours, the chewing gum should peel right off.
Dolls.
Whip up a quick and easy detangling spray to smoothen out frizzy locks on your kid's dolls. Simply add fabric softener and water to a spray bottle and spray it evenly throughout the hair. It's absolutely genius.
